CHRISTMAS WITH ANNA LAPWOOD

With more than two million followers on social media, it’s fair to say that Anna Lapwood is bringing the magic of the organ to the masses. Hailed by Gramophone as ‘the dream ambassador for classical music’, Anna is here presenting ‘a festive evening of carols from the console and tidings through the pipes’. 

Birmingham Town Hall, Tuesday 9 December

HALESOWEN ORCHESTRA

The Halesowen Orchestra has been described as one of the town’s hidden jewels - and it’s a description with which the ensemble’s many supporters would no doubt wholeheartedly agree. 

Founded in 1986, the amateur group of musicians meet once a week to practise a varied repertoire of works by some of the world’s greatest classical composers.

This month’s concert features a wide selection of music, from Sibelius’ Karelia Overture to the Wallace And Gromit Theme and Polar Express Suite.

Halesowen Town Hall, Saturday 13 December

BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR

An afternoon concert presenting both familiar and lesser-known festive music, Birmingham Bach Choir’s annual carol service is the perfect way to kickstart your Christmas celebrations. 

O Come All Ye Faithful, Once In Royal David’s City and Hark The Herald Angels Sing are among the featured carols, which will be interspersed with nine readings. 

St Alban’s, Birmingham, Sunday 14 December

JOGLARESA

Medieval and folk ensemble Joglaresa bring their unique brand of festive fun to the region mid-month, presenting a concert of carols specifically designed to get their sure-to-be-appreciative audience singing along. 

The band will be hosting a short workshop before the show, providing attendees with the chance ‘to learn the nuts and bolts of a few numbers you didn’t know you always knew!’ 
Mulled wine and mince pies are included, ‘to warm up the vocal cords beautifully’.

St Mary’s Church, Warwick, Tuesday 16 December

ARMONICO CONSORT

Armonico Consort’s latest concert is a tribute to the music of George Frideric Handel and sees them performing anthems which the composer wrote for King George II’s coronation in 1727. Two of the works, Zadok The Priest and The King Shall Rejoice, are widely considered to be among the most powerful and evocative pieces ever composed for such an event. 

The programme also features Dettingen Te Deum. One of Handel’s most widely admired works, it was written to celebrate King George II’s triumphant return from the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. 
The composer’s famous Fireworks Music completes the line-up. The work was created in 1749, to accompany the royal celebrations for the ending of the War of the Austrian succession. 

Malvern Theatres, Friday 5 December; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thursday 18 December

ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: THE BELLS OF PARADISE

If, for whatever reason, you’re struggling to get into the Christmas spirit, this could well be the concert that unlocks those hitherto-constrained feelings of festive merriment. 

The Coventry born-and-raised Harvey Brough, who’s perhaps most famous from 1980s jazz harmony group Harvey And The Wallbangers, leads local community choir Vox Populi as they perform Christmas carols from around the globe and through the ages.   

Holy Trinity Church, Leamington Spa, Saturday 20 December

MIDLANDS HOSPITAL CHOIR SING NOEL, ALLELUIA!

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist 2024 Denise Leigh is the soprano for this concert of seasonal music, which sees the Midlands Hospitals’ Choir teaming up with the Phoenix Singers. Organist Richard Dawson and the highly rated Gemini Brass also contribute to what promises to be a memorable afternoon of musicmaking. 

Birmingham Town Hall, Sunday 21 December